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“ALLWOMEN . . . INTHIS REGION . . .WANT . . .
TO GET CLOSETOTHE FRONT”
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EISENHOWER, DWIGHT D.Autograph Letter Signed,“Ike,” to his wife Mamie
(“My darling”), describing plans for his pet dog, recounting a visit from a USO troupe,
remarking that women he has met from the Red Cross,Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps,
and Auxiliary Territorial Service, seem more indifferent to danger than his own [male] offi-
cers. 3 pages, 4to, written on rectos only of separate sheets, ruled paper; few short closed
tears at edges, small hole in leaf at left margin of terminal page, evenly toned, horizontal
folds,“To Mother” written in upper margin of first page possibly in his hand. (TFC)
Np, 18 January [circa 1942]
[1,000/1,500]
“
. . .This afternoon I . . . brought my pup with me to the office. . . . He is rather well housebroken . . .
. I’m glad you like his pictures. I think, now that he is pretty well grown, I’ll send for a female . . . .
He has a long pedigree—which doesn’t interest me much except that since he has it I’ll have to get a
‘wife’ for him in the same social class.
“
Last eve was an event in our house.There are several movie stars here entertaining the soldiers and
officers . . . . Last eve the troupe gave a performance for the officers of AFHQ, but I would not go.
Afterwards I sent them an invitation . . . to come up for an after performance supper.They did.There
were: Kay Francis, Martha Ray, Carol[e] Landis, and Mitzi Mayfair. I was a bit fearful of how movie
people would act & what they’d expect—but it all went off perfectly naturally & no embarrassment. . .
.They work hard, giving from 2 to 3 shows per day 6 days per week. Moreover they reflect an attitude
that seems to be characteristic of all women (British & American) in this region. They
want
to get
close to the front.The women seem to be more casual with respect to danger than do [sic] the men.
These particular ones want to get up as close as possible to do their stuff—as do the Red Cross, the
WAACs, the ATS, etc etc. I suppose there are 50-75 American women in this city & every one tells
me that their constant cry is ‘Let me get up where there is action.’ Many of my officers are quite will-
ing to take cushy jobs far from the sound of bombs & bullets. . . .
“
No woman can ...take your place. Don’t worry about me ....I’m in love with you & with no one else.”